Kara Michelle Kohler is a female crew rower from the United States. In the quadruple sculls competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, she took home the bronze medal. In addition, she won a bronze in the single sculls and a gold in the coxless four at the World Championship. She is going to compete for the United States in the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024.
Kara Kohler punches her ticket to the 2024 Summer Olympics
Kara Kohler secured her place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Sunday, April 7th in Sarasota, Florida. This will be the third time Kohler represents the United States at the Olympics in her athletic journey, having previously competed in 2012 and 2020.
The Instagram post shares her excitement after qualifying. Kohler, who was named the 2019 USRowing Female Athlete of the Year, finished first in Sunday’s single sculls final race. This means she will compete in the single sculls event at the 2024 Olympics, making it her second consecutive Olympic Games in this particular rowing discipline.
“I get goosebumps,” “It’s my third Olympic team, but it still feels like making my first.”
Kohler said after coming off the water at the 2024 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials — Rowing in Sarasota, FL, having crossed the finish line in first and punching her ticket to Paris.
Kara kohler’s Supporting Family and Education
Kara Kohler was born on January 20, 1991, in Walnut Creek, California. Her parents are Mike Kohler and Caryl Kohler, and she has three older sisters. Her uncle, Kenny Ericsson, was a swimmer at the University of New Mexico.
Kohler considers her parents the most influential people in her life, and having her mom present to watch her compete meant everything to her. The Instagram posts showcase her close relationship with her family.
Growing up, Kohler was very passionate about competitive swimming, thinking that would be the sport she would excel in. However, one woman she looks up to for inspiration is her U.S. teammate Meghan Musnicki, who recently made her fourth Olympic team at the age of 41 after being selected at the camp in March.
Kohler draws motivation from her family, and she looks forward to having their support in Paris after they were unable to attend the Tokyo Olympics.
Kohler completed her high school education at Clayton Valley High School and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Society and Environment from the University of California, Berkeley.
Her hobbies include adventuring with her dog Luna, camping, swimming, road biking, and cooking.
How Kara turned into Rowing from Swimming
Kara Kohler was a competitive swimmer throughout her high school years. She participated in notable meets like the 2008 Janet Evans Grand Prix Swim Meet at USC and the 2008 Pacific Swimming North America Cup Challenge.
In 2009, she was even nominated for Athlete of the Year. However, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that a family friend encouraged her to explore at the college level.
She decided to make the switch and joined the University of California, Berkeley’s women’s crew team as a walk-on recruit – the same college her swimming idol attended.
Despite being new to rowing, Kohler quickly found success. While at Cal, she became a four-time All-American in 2013. Within just two years of starting to row, she was already part of the United States under-23 team, winning a gold medal in the women’s eights event at the 2010 U-23 World Championship.
Also See: Who is Meghan Musnicki? Age, Wedding, Meet Husband Skip, Family, Height, Weight, Biography
In 2011, Kohler was part of the US team that won the coxless four event at the World Championships, alongside teammates Sarah Zelenka, Emily Regan, and Sara Hendershot.
After failing to make the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Kohler faced a low point. However, she decided to change her event from quadruple sculls to single sculls. She also made the timely decision to accept coaching from veteran German coach Bernhard Stomporowski, which proved to be a wise move.
Fast progress and a smooth Takeoff for Kara Kohler
The first time the now 33-year-old Kara Kohler qualified for the Olympics was in 2012 when she competed in the quadruple sculls event, winning a bronze medal alongside her three teammates in the boat.
Specifically, Kohler, Natalie Dell, Megan Kalmoe, and Adrienne Martelli brought home the bronze in the women’s quadruple sculls at the 2012 Olympic Games.
After switching from the quadruple sculls to the single sculls event, the London Olympics medalist earned back-to-back calls to compete at the World Championships. In 2018 and 2019, including a bronze medal performance in 2019. This success soon led her to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. However, roadblocks arose once again.
Nearly 10 years after her Olympic debut, Kohler returned to the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, though the Games were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no fans or family members allowed to attend. In Tokyo, she competed in the single sculls event after making the switch in 2018, finishing ninth overall.
Kohler previously won a bronze medal in the women’s quadruple sculls at the 2012 London Olympics and then secured third place in the B final of the single sculls at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021 after the pandemic delay.
Additionally, the Olympic bronze medalist from Clayton was named USRowing’s 2019 Female Athlete of the Year, the highest honor in rowing. A year after the Tokyo Games, Kara placed 13th in the single sculls at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.
She finished fourth in the same event at the 2023 World Championships while also claiming third place at the 2023 World Rowing Cup II Regatta.
Road to PARIS for Kara Kohler
Over a decade since the bronze medal win. Hopes to change in Paris. Kohler qualified for the third Olympics by winning single sculls at the U.S. Trials in Sarasota, Florida on Sunday. Led five rowers to make the USA team.
Represented Princeton Training Center. Undefeated in week-long trials. Won Sunday finals in 8 minutes, 4.01 seconds. Over six seconds ahead of second place Margaret Fellows from Cambridge, Mass.
In Paris, alone in single sculls boat. Aiming for the first time on a top podium spot in women’s single sculls event. Women’s single sculls competition in Paris begins Saturday, July 27. Day after Opening Ceremonies.
